Chapter 44 – Reunion with Albert

The fact that Chester gets along well with those in the Knight Order suggests it’s primarily the Dragon Knights who actually fight alongside him.

Among the Dragon Knights, his superior seems to be the Vice-Commander—a man named Greg. This man appears to be a divisive figure within the Knight Order.

He speaks in idealistic terms but isn’t particularly skilled as a commander—apparently, he’s the type who’ll casually say things like “Just push through with guts and determination!”

Since he’s always spouting brave words, he’s popular with the nobility but disliked by his subordinates… or so it seems. Given that Chester is favored and promoted under him, they must get along well.

If that’s the case, then I should be cautious when dealing with Chester, Greg, or any nobles connected to Greg.

As I was lost in thought while watching the knights and soldiers training in the parade ground below, the musicians’ corps sounded their trumpets.

The guests’ chatter quieted down, and King Melvin appeared on the balcony of the Knight’s Tower. He appeared to be around fifty years old, with the imposing stature and stern demeanor of a great man.

“My people, you have done well,” King Melvin’s solemn voice echoed across the square.

“Originally, this was meant to be a banquet for deepening friendships, but at this time, such words would be inappropriate. As you all know, due to the recent incident in Cardiff and the appearance of the demon, several soldiers have sacrificed themselves for our kingdom. When I think of the hearts of the wives, children, and parents they left behind, I believed we shouldn’t hold tonight’s banquet at all.”

King Melvin paused his words, closed his eyes, then spread both arms wide.

“However, after receiving pleas from several people, I have decided to permit tonight’s banquet. So that I may not forget their loyalty and bravery. So that all of you, their friends and brethren, may not forget their names and faces—that is why tonight’s banquet exists. As long as we have brave warriors like them, I am confident that glorious Verdgar will not falter in the slightest against mere demon attacks. For our glorious and honorable knights will inherit their souls and wills. Everyone, tonight, drink, eat, and enjoy yourselves to the fullest. That shall be our farewell to those brave souls who dedicated themselves to the kingdom.”

Raising his glass, King Melvin declared, “To the brave warriors!”

After saying this, he drained his glass in one go. The assembled guests followed suit, and cheers erupted across the square. King Melvin nodded magnanimously, then scanned the surroundings as if to quiet the cheers before speaking.

“And—the small hero who alone faced that demon and destroyed it. That such a person was hidden in our country’s fields—that he risked danger without regard for himself and resolutely confronted the threat—this pleases me. I hear he has been invited to tonight’s banquet as well.”

King Melvin looked straight at me—and grinned, showing his teeth. It was an expression reminiscent of a mischievous child. I could feel the guests’ eyes gathering on me. Hmm…

…King Melvin. They say his nature is simple, sturdy, and robust—the warrior type. I get the feeling he’d get along well with Oswald, but although his name appeared in BFO, players had no interaction with him.

So I know practically nothing about King Melvin’s character. Reputation and formalities don’t necessarily match true intentions, and when it comes to kings, political circumstances also come into play, so I can’t judge simply by whether he seems trustworthy or not.

The Knight Order’s intentions are the Knight Order’s intentions. The King’s intentions are the King’s intentions, but I still don’t know whether he’s aware of the situation around Chester.

As King Melvin sat in the large chair prepared on the balcony, the musicians’ corps began playing solemn music. Normally, this would be a scene with lighter speeches and elegant music, but I suppose the official purpose is different.

First, to show the King the results of their daily training, cavalry and infantry formed ranks and demonstrated changing formations.

At a single command, they changed formations one after another. The entire national army probably isn’t this well-trained, but their perfectly coordinated, flawless movements were quite satisfying to watch.

From here, it seems events like jousting tournaments and mounted shooting competitions will continue.

What’s happening now is the tourney—the team jousting competition.

Knights clad in armor face each other on horses or earth dragons, charging and trying to knock each other off with spear thrusts as they pass… well, it’s a competitive sport.

The spears are made of wood processed to break easily, with flat caps on the tips to reduce lethality, but dangers like fragments stabbing or falling from mounts remain, so it can’t be called completely safe.

Oswald explained where the highlights were.

Every time a spear knocked an opposing knight from their mount, cheers rose from the guests.

Teams with red feathers on their helmets and teams with blue feathers on their helmets seemed to be competing in groups of five.

As for the match itself, the blue team’s vanguard took down three opponents, only to have the red team’s vice-commander take down three in return.

Each time the vice-commander knocked someone from their horse, yellow cheers erupted.

The vice-commander waved to the spectators, further heating up the atmosphere.

Though I couldn’t see his face through the helmet, that seemed to be Chester.

According to Oswald’s assessment, the red team would likely win… and indeed, Chester did seem a cut above the rest.

But Oswald didn’t seem too pleased. Even when Chester won and cheers rose, he wore an unamused expression.

“Is there a problem with Sir Chester?”

“It’s not so much Chester as… the entire Knight Order, really. The man himself is neatly put together and uninteresting, but the current knights who can’t even give him a close fight are pathetic. The Knight Order knows this too, which is why they put their second strongest in the blue team’s vanguard—setting the stage.”

“…I see.”

So it’s half rigged. Since it’s a match between comrades and an event, I suppose they need to create excitement.

The matches themselves seem like serious contests, and from the outside, they’re exciting enough, so the Knight Order’s purpose is probably achieved.

But Oswald—he makes quite difficult demands.

Chester’s fighting style is orthodox, which is precisely why it’s popular with guests, but from Oswald’s perspective, it earns the evaluation of “neat but uninteresting.”

“That’s why you should go and join as a walk-in. It’ll be good stimulation.”

“Really, what foolish things is this person saying?”

As I brushed off Oswald’s jokes, a woman approached.

“Pardon me for interrupting your conversation. Are you Theodore Gartner-sama? My name is Annie Elimson.”

“…Hello.”

“I’m a member of the Mage Corps. There’s someone who absolutely wishes to greet you, Theodore-sama, and if you could accompany me…”

…The Mage Corps. Weren’t they at odds with the Knight Order? Might I be able to get some useful information?

And since this is an occasion for socializing, the candidates for who would summon me and for what topics naturally narrow down.

“…Very well. I’ll accompany you.”

“I’ll come with you.”

When I stood up, Grace and the others stood up too. It seemed both intended to come along.

“You can stay and watch the matches, you know?”

“No, please let me stay with you,” Ashley smiled.

“Well, that must be boring for you. Especially since you’ve fought shoulder-to-shoulder with him.”

“Hmm”

…I suppose that’s how it is.

Led by Annie, we headed to the Knight’s Tower adjacent to the training ground. The royal family should be on the upper floors now, so security is tight, but Annie advanced without any hesitation.

“This way.”

—We were shown into a room. The person there was… someone I already knew, but he greeted me like this:

“Hey, nice to meet you.”

In other words, it was Prince Albert with his friendly smile. Today, he had brought along his sister Princess Marlene and his fiancée Ophelia.

Marlene seemed shy around strangers, hiding behind Prince Albert’s body when she saw me and cautiously peeking at me. Ophelia was composed.

“This person is—”

Annie tried to introduce him, but Albert stopped her with his hand.

“No, it’s fine. I dislike stiff formalities. Sorry for pulling you away during the viewing. I really wanted to speak with you privately.”

“Is that so?”

“I’m Albert. The fourth prince of this country. This is my sister Marlene and—uh, my friend Ophelia.”

Yeah. I know. I had anticipated he might contact me when I came to the royal castle.

Since Prince Albert apparently wants to become a magic engineer in the future, it makes sense he’d have connections with the Mage Corps.

I know he’s supposed to be an easygoing person… but well, since this is our first meeting and he’s a prince, I can’t interact with him the same way I did with Alfred.

“This is my fiancée Ashley and Grace.”

I greeted them according to etiquette and introduced the two.

“Fiancée… you’re something else,” Prince Albert’s eyes widened.

“The prince has a fiancée too, you know,” Ophelia laughed with a “fufufu” that darkened her face’s shadow.

“Well… yeah, I guess. Ophelia is my fiancée.”

Prince Albert blushed slightly and scratched with his index finger. He seemed embarrassed to introduce her as his fiancée.

“Well, how should I put it. I asked you here because I heard about you from my friend. His name is Talcott.”

Ah. So that’s how he’s broaching the subject.

As someone who knows the mechanism, I’m somewhat at a loss for how to respond. He seems to intend to hide that he’s Alfred.

“He asked me to convey his thanks to you.”

“Is that so? I don’t think I did anything worthy of his thanks…”

“Whether you think so or Talcott wants to thank you is up to you. I’ve delivered the message.”

“…Understood.”

That might be part of why he wanted to convey Talcott’s message, but I doubt that’s all.

Well then… I wonder what Prince Albert’s real business is.